Proposed Constitution

Constitution of the Tsardom of Florida

Preamble

 The Tsardom of Florida, in reverence to God Almighty, in pursuit of justice, liberty, and prosperity, establishes this Constitution to govern our land in accordance with the will of the Tsar, the divine guidance of the Holy Church, and the mutual interests of the people of Florida. We proclaim our allegiance to the Tsar, as the Sovereign Head of State, and affirm our dedication to uphold the balance of power and authority as set forth herein. This document shall be the supreme law of the Tsardom of Florida, guiding its governance, the protection of its citizens' rights, and the promotion of its Christian faith.

Article I: The Tsar

1. The Tsar is the Supreme Head of State and Government, Chief Executive of the Tsardom, and Supreme Commander of the Floridian Armed Forces and the National Civil Defense Reserve (NCDR).

2. The Tsar shall enforce laws duly enacted, issue decrees for administration, defense, emergency response, and temporary governance. Decrees expire after 180 days unless confirmed as permanent law by the Council of Nobles and reviewed by the Synod of Bishops. Decrees may not alter constitutional rights except during a declared state of emergency, which must be reported to the Nobles and Synod within seven days.

3. The Tsar may propose laws and policies, appoint or dismiss Nobles with Synod approval, and set standards for the FAF and NCDR.

4. Regency in Case of Incapacity: If incapacitated, a Regent shall be appointed from the royal family, confirmed by a majority vote of both the Nobles and Synod, until recovery or lawful succession.

5. The succession to the Tsardom shall follow the principle of primogeniture, whereby the eldest legitimate son or daughter of the reigning Tsar shall inherit the throne. In the absence of a legitimate son or daughter the crown shall pass to the next eldest legitimate offspring of the Tsar. Should there be none, succession shall proceed to the Tsar’s brothers in order of their birth, and thereafter to their legitimate descendants by the same principle. If no such heirs exist, the throne shall pass to the nearest legitimate relative within the royal house, according to dynastic proximity. If the entirety of the Tsar’s house is to perish then a Noble shall be elected by the Synod of Bishops as his successor.

6. Removal of the Tsar requires a three-fourths (3/4) vote of both Nobles and Synod  in cases of tyranny, misconduct and/or apostasy. If removed, the Nobles shall direct the NCDR to enforce transfer of power.

7. Obligation to Consult: The Tsar must consult the Nobles on taxation, treaties, and war. These require Noble approval (majority for taxation and treaties, two-thirds for war).

8. Use of Military: Offensive war or deployment abroad requires two-thirds approval of the Nobles. Internal deployment is permitted only in rebellion, invasion, or disaster, and must be reported to the Nobles and Synod within seven days.

9. No Noble, Bishop, or officer may maintain private armies. The Synod may, by two-thirds vote, order the cessation of wars deemed unjust.

10.  Delegation of Authority: The Tsar may, at his discretion, establish advisory councils or ministerial cabinets to whom he may delegate specific administrative, military, or diplomatic functions. Such delegation does not diminish the Tsar’s own authority, and all powers so delegated remain subject to his oversight. These councils or cabinets may be dissolved at any time by the Tsar, and all delegated powers immediately revert to him.

11. National Finances: The Tsar shall direct the revenues, expenditures, and treasury of the Tsardom, subject to the approval of the Council of Nobles for all taxation and the creation of new revenues. No tax or levy may be imposed without the assent of the Nobles.

12.  International Relations: The Tsar shall conduct the day-to-day foreign relations of the Tsardom, including the appointment of ambassadors and envoys, negotiation of agreements, and maintenance of diplomatic correspondence. However, no treaty or alliance shall bind the Tsardom without majority approval of the Council of Nobles.

13. Martial Law: The Tsar may declare martial law only in the gravest circumstances of rebellion, foreign invasion, or the collapse of the central civil authority. Such declaration must be reported to the Synod of Bishops and the Council of Nobles within seven (7) days. Martial law may suspend ordinary civil governance and rights only for the duration of the crisis, and shall expire after sixty (60) days unless extended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Council of Nobles. 

Article II: The Council of Nobles

1. The Council of Nobles consists of one Noble per Principality, appointed by the Tsar with majority Synod approval. Nobles serve until age 65, resignation, or lawful removal. No hereditary succession is permitted.

2. The Council drafts and votes on bills. Approval requires a majority. Bills then require Tsar’s assent. If assented, they become law, subject to Synod review. If rejected, they are void. The Tsar may submit proposals, but the Council must deliberate.

3. The Council must review decrees the Tsar seeks to make permanent. It approves or rejects foreign treaties, taxation policies, and war declarations (majority approval required, two-thirds for war).

4. The Tsar must respond to proposals within ninety (90) days; silence equals rejection.

5. Nobles can be deposed by the Tsar with the approval of the Synod of bishops  in cases of tyranny, misconduct, apostasy, or incapacity.

6. If a noble should perish the seat is to be passed on to a faithful and virtuous family member appointed by the Tsar and approved by the Synod of Bishops. If no such heir exists then one from another lineage may be appointed.

Powers and Duties:

• Oversight of Local Governance: Each Noble shall ensure that the counties, cities, and towns within their Principality remain in faithful observance of this Constitution and the Christian faith. Local governments shall retain their ordinary civil structures and elected officials, but their laws and policies are subject to review by the Noble for conformity with higher law.

• Supervision of Local Authorities: Nobles may require reports from county and municipal governments within their Principality concerning finances, laws, and public order. They shall compile and submit an annual report of their Principality to the Tsar and the Synod of Bishops.

• Coordination of Civil Defense: Nobles oversee the enrollment, training, and readiness of the National Civil Defense Reserve (NCDR) within their Principality, working alongside local law enforcement and clergy to preserve order.

• Intermediary in Disputes: Nobles shall mediate disputes between counties, cities, or towns within their Principality. Unresolved disputes shall be referred to the Tsar.

• Cabinets of Nobles: Each Noble may establish a cabinet or council of officers within their Principality, to whom they may delegate portions of their administrative or supervisory duties. Such cabinets exist solely by the authority of the Noble, may be dissolved at any time, and all delegated powers immediately revert to the Noble. No delegated officer shall exercise independent sovereignty apart from the Noble’s will.

• Limitations: The Council of Nobles cannot alter the fundamental separation of powers or the system of government outlined in this Constitution, including any attempt to change the status of the Tsar, the Council’s role, or the Synod of Bishops.

Article III: The Synod of Bishops

1. The Synod of Bishops, led by the Patriarch, consists of all bishops of the Tsardom.

2. The Synod shall provide spiritual guidance, review all laws and decrees, and may veto them by three-fourths (3/4) vote with a written statement of reasoning to the Tsar. If it does not act within sixty (60) days, the law is valid. Its veto is binding.

3. The Synod and Nobles may jointly resolve disputes with the Tsar by two-thirds (2/3) vote in combined assembly.

4. The Synod may by two-thirds (2/3) vote require the cessation of wars judged unjust or contrary to the Christian faith.

Article IV: Local Governance

1. Continuity of Local Governments: The existing counties, cities, and towns of Florida shall retain their ordinary civil governance structures, including elected councils, mayors, sheriffs, and other officers. These bodies shall continue to legislate, tax, and administer local affairs, provided that their actions conform to this Constitution, the laws of the Tsardom, and the oversight of their Noble.

2. Oversight by Nobles: Local governments remain bound to their Principality. Each Noble shall oversee the faithful observance of this Constitution and the Christian faith within their territory, and may suspend local ordinances or policies found contrary to the same, subject to review by the High Court.

3. Judicial Order within Principalities: Each Principality shall maintain courts of first instance at the county or city level, responsible for civil and criminal trials. Nobles shall ensure these courts are staffed, funded, and functioning, but they shall not interfere with judicial decisions except to refer constitutional questions or appeals to the Council of Nobles who shall have the final say on such cases by majority vote.

4. High Court Jurisdiction: The High Court of the Tsardom shall serve as the final appellate and constitutional court. Nobles shall transmit contested laws, judicial disputes, or constitutional conflicts from their Principality to the High Court for final resolution.

Article V: Rights and Duties of the People

1. Freedom of speech and press is guaranteed within respect for God, Church, and Sovereign. Blasphemy, irreligion, and disorder shall be defined by law and shall not be protected as free speech.

2. Right to petition: Citizens may petition Tsar or Nobles in accordance with law and faith.

3. Property rights:Every citizen has the right to own property unless it is seized for lawful public use with fair compensation, subject to a courts review.

4. NCDR: All citizens 20–45 must serve unless exempt for health, age, or conscience. Exemptions are decided by each principalities noble unless otherwise stated by a Tsar’s decree. Refusal without exemption may incur penalties up to two years imprisonment or fines. Enrolled citizens shall be issued standardized personal defense equipment, including a service-grade firearm, by the federal government. Such equipment shall be maintained in good condition by the individual and subject to regular inspection by designated authorities. The possession and training of this equipment shall be for the sole purpose of national defense, self defense, emergency response, and civil protection. All participants shall undergo periodic training in accordance with the FAF standards.

5. Right to Bear Arms:The right of the people to keep and bear arms, both for personal defense and the preservation of liberty, shall not be infringed.No law shall prohibit the possession of government-issued equipment by enrolled members of the NCDR while in good standing, nor shall such possession be construed as unlawful under state or local ordinances. Every law-abiding citizen shall have the individual right to possess, carry, and use firearms and related arms for lawful purposes, including but not limited to self-defense, defense of others, defense of the state, hunting, and sporting.

6. Due Process: No citizen shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without fair trial, right to confront accusers, and right to appeal.

Article VI: Establishment of Principalities

The Tsardom shall be divided into Principalities as defined herein. The territories and/or number of these principalities shall not be changed unless new land is acquired by the tsardom and a noble shall be appointed to each by the process ordained in this document. There shall also always be an odd number of said principalities:

Principality of St. Nicholas
Boundaries:
This county shall be defined by the following boundaries:

• From the 31°N Latitude to the 30°N Latitude.

• From the border at the Perdido River to 86°W longitude line.

Principality of St. George
Boundaries:
This county shall be defined by the following geographical features.

• From the Northern Border with Alabama and Georgia to the 29°N Latitude line.

• From the 86°W longitude to the 84°W longitude lines.

Principality of St. Mary
Boundaries:
The boundaries of this county shall be as follows:

• From the border with Georgia to the 29°N latitude line and from the 84°W longitude to the 83°W longitude lines.

• From the 83°W longitude to the 82°W longitude lines and from the 30°N latitude to the 29°N latitude lines.

Principality of St. Constantine
Boundaries:
This county shall include the following geographical features:

• From the border with Georgia to the 30°N latitude line and from the 83°W longitude to the 81°W longitude lines.

• From the 30°N latitude to the 29°N latitude lines and from the 82°W longitude to the 81°W longitude lines

Principality of St. Nektarios
Boundaries:
The boundaries of this county shall be defined as follows:

• From the 29°N latitude to the 27°N latitude lines and from the 83°W longitude to the 82°W longitude lines.

• From the 28°N latitude to the 27°N latitude lines and from the 82°W longitude to the 81°W longitude lines.

Principality of St. John
Boundaries:
This county shall be defined as follows:

• From the 29°N latitude to the 28°N latitude lines and from the 82°W longitude to the 80°W longitude lines.

• From the 28°N latitude to the 27°N latitude lines and from the 81°W longitude to the 80°W longitude lines.

Principality of St. Seraphim
Boundaries:
The boundaries for this county shall be defined as follows:

• From the 27°N latitude to the 26°N latitude lines and from the 83°W longitude line to the 81°W longitude lines.

Principality of St. Theodore
Boundaries:
The boundaries of this county shall be as follows:

• From the 27°N latitude to the 26° latitude lines and from the 81°W longitude line to the 80°W longitude lines.

• From the 26°N latitude to the 25° latitude lines and from the 82°W longitude line to the 80°W longitude lines.

Principality of St. Brendan

• The Florida Keys

Article VII: Amendments

Amendments may be proposed by the Tsar or Nobles. They require unanimous approval of the Synod and three-fourths approval of the Council of Nobles.

Article VIII: Supremacy of the Constitution

This Constitution, together with any approved laws and decrees, shall be the supreme law of the Tsardom of Florida. All laws, policies, and actions of the Tsar, the Nobles, the Synod of Bishops, and local governments shall be in full accordance with its principles, and any actions in violation of this Constitution shall be considered unlawful and void.